The Hillman Group 4045-C M5-0.80 Stainless Hex Nut is a perfect fit for the mou
nts. It wedges into the space so tightly that it will never fall out. Now all my mounts have nuts in place and all I have to do is move the screw with the camera.Tired of searching for one of the few acorn nuts provided by GoPro every time I wanted to change mounts, I went in search of a replacement and found these in the local hardware store.
A simple way to use the camera without the housing is to use an adjustable bar clamp such as the one pictured on the left.
These are available in hardware stores and discount stores. If you are lucky you will find one in a Dollar Store or Pound Shop.
A hole can be drilled through the shaft so that it can be held in the standard GoPro mount or the shaft can be attached to another clamp, or a weighted stand.
This particular one has a quick release for easy removal of the camera and a hand grip for solid tightening.
Panoramic mounts for taking time-lapse spherical videos can be made from inexpensive kitchen timers.
Follow the link to build your own GoPro Ordning Panoramic Mount or GoPro Stäm Panoramic Mount.
To use the GoPro mounts without a back door, it is necessary to hold the camera firmly in the front part of the GoPro case.
This can be useful when it is desired to have maximum sound enter the camera microphone or to minimize fogging from rapid changes in temperature or humidity.
It is also necessary if using one of the CamDo accessories with plugs that do not fit through the holes of the regular skeleton backdoors.
A simple method is to use a rubber O-ring to hold the camera, accessory or plug, and the wire in place. The standard AS568-131 will fit perfectly (1-11/16" x 1-7/8" x 3/32"). Stretch the O-ring to slot it into the lower slot on the camera case. Then pull it over the connector and slot it into the top slots of the case.
O-rings are available in most hardware stores or from Amazon
Some CamDo accessories have connectors which are too large to fit through the slots in some of the GoPro skeleton Backdoors.
In some cases, like the Video Monitor Adapter with the RCA plug, it may be possible to enlarge the slot slightly to pass the plug through. This can be done with a Dremel tool or equivalent small drill.
The alternative is to cut a new slot in the backdoor to allow the cable to pass either through the side, or through the existing slot in the bottom of the backdoor.
The advantage of the side slot is that it need not be very big - just large enough for the wire - and leaves the backdoor structurally stronger.
The advantage of an L-shaped slot that enters from the side and passes to the back is that after inserting the wire, it is easier make the back more water resistant using 3M packing tape.
For general water resistance the top slots of the GoPro skeleton backdoors can be sealed with good quality shipping tape. This stops water from entering from above, but leaves the lower slots open, preventing fogging of the lens.
To cut the slot, first remove the rubber gasket. Then cut a slot in the backdoor using a Dremel tool or small saw. A Dremel Oscillating Tool
After the wire has been inserted in the slot, replace the gasket and attach the backdoor to the camera case.
If desired, cover the slot with packing tape. For a more waterproof installation, silicone sealant can be used or the slot can be filled with any moldable plastic filler.
For a truly waterproof solution, it is necessary to pass the wire through a waterproof cable gland.
In this case, the wire needs to be inserted through the gland before it is soldered to the connector.
The disadvantage of this situation is that the waterproof back is now permanently installed on the cable and cannot be removed for use with other accessories.